Florida Estate Planning Attorneys
The Law Offices of Curtis & Associates, P.A., offers comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families in St. Augustine, and throughout all of Florida. Some of the estate planning services we offer include:
- Wills
- Living wills (with designation of health care surrogate)
- Trusts
- Revocable living trust
- Irrevocable trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Pre-need guardian forms
- Life insurance trusts
- Special needs trusts
- Children's trusts
- Credit shelter trusts
- "Q-tip" trusts
In each case we handle, we meet with clients individually and take considerable time to determine which estate planning documents are right for the client. We do not offer a one-size-fits-all approach to estate planning.
Many of our clients come to us with a particular estate planning document in mind. For some it may be a will or trust, and for others it may be a special needs trust. In each case, however, we take the time to discuss with clients the many options they have that may serve the interests of their family, friends and loved ones.
Please contact us today to discuss your own estate planning goals by calling 904-819-6959, or contact an attorney online.
Wills and Trusts
Whether you want to update your wills and trusts or create them for the first time, we can assist you. There are many types of revocable and irrevocable trusts that provide distinct advantages. We take time to explain the difference between different estate planning documents and how they relate to your unique vision for your family.
The Goals of Estate Planning
The goals of careful estate planning include wealth preservation, smooth transfer of assets to their intended parties, tax avoidance, and protection of people and their family members in times of sickness or incapacitation due to mental or physical illness.
Probate
We help families resolve their probate matters in the most efficient and favorable manner possible. After a loved one passes away, probate administration allows for the management and distribution of the deceased individual’s assets. Because the probate process can be confusing, Florida law requires that an attorney handle the probate administration, except in very rare circumstances. Our goal is to protect your family’s interests so that you can focus on spending time with your loved ones. Let us help you to ease the stress of handling legal and practical matters while you are grieving.
NOTICE: This is a simplified breakdown of a complicated legal process. Probate has been briefly described in general terms. Each estate is unique and may require administration that deviates somewhat from the information included below. This information is provided for educational purposes and is not to be relied upon as legal advice.
Probate is the process of legally passing a decedent’s assets to the beneficiaries of his or her will or his or her legal heirs if no will is located. The process can be very confusing; therefore, Florida law requires that an attorney handle the probate except in very rare circumstances. Items that do not pass legally according to a transfer on death designation, beneficiary designation or survivorship right must be probated in order to pass title legally.
A Summary Administration may be appropriate if the decedent’s estate is valued at no more than $75,000 or the decedent has been deceased for at least two years. This process is simpler and slightly less expensive than Formal Administration. If an estate does not qualify for Summary Administration, a Formal Administration must be obtained. This is usually a lengthier and more expensive process. Please contact us for more information on probate and how we can assist you in this process.
